Friday, September 30, 2011

Photo of the Day: Bessie's Cottage & Beautiful Heliconia + [Video]

Bessie's Cottage
Photo Courtesy of the Saba Tourist Bureau

Never mind there is just one beach to call her own, Saba the "Unspoiled Queen" is a natural beauty. The small Dutch island in the West Indies is a lush tropical paradise, abundant in flora and fauna. Red-roofed cottages dot the mountainous landscape and the pristine under-water world is a diver's paradise. Click here for a film of Saba.

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2012 Caribbean Regattas & Sailing Festivals

Photo Courtesy of Grenada Sailing Week

Grenada Sailing Festival
 January 27-31, 2012

Tobago Carnival Regatta
February 24-26, 2012

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
 March 1-4, 2012

St. Thomas International Rolex Regatta
March 23-25, 2012

BVI Spring Regatta Festival 
March 26-April 1, 2012
Event Website
 
Les Voiles de Saint Barth
April 2-7, 2012
Event Website

Antigua Sailing Week
 April 29-May 4, 2012


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Anne-Sophie Mutter and the BSO Open 2011-12 Subscription Season

Courtesy of The Boston Symphony Orchestra on YouTube


The dazzling German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter returns to the Boston Symphony Orchestra as both soloist and conductor for a second night, Saturday, October 1, performing Mozart’s violin concertos nos. 1, 2, and 4 to begin the 2011-12 subscription season. This concert completes Mutter and the BSO’s season-opening cycle of Mozart’s violin concertos begun with the Opening Night at Symphony gala performance September 30. Ms. Mutter is celebrating 35 years on stage this season, having made her solo debut in 1976 at the Lucerne Festival at the age of 13.

All composed between 1773 and 1775—when he was just 17 to 19 years old—Mozart’s five violin concertos are remarkable evidence of the composer’s early brilliance, humming with elegance and vitality. Ms. Mutter has received wide-ranging acclaim for her recordings of all five Mozart violin concertos, which were released in 2005. 

For complete programs, ticket information and artist bios, visit http://www.bso.org

Source: The Boston Symphony Orchestra 

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

100 Years Later, Hotel Vermont to Rise Again in Burlington

The ground will soon be broken for a LEED-certified hotel as local developers Jay Canning and Chuck DesLauriers announce the commencement of construction on the new 125-bedroom Hotel Vermont and Hen of the Wood Restaurant in Burlington. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and Commerce Secretary Lawrence Miller will attend the groundbreaking event starting at 5:00 p.m. on September 21, 2011.

Hotel Vermont will open at 41 Cherry Street in Burlington 100 years after the original Hotel Vermont first welcomed guests on the corner of Main Street and St. Paul Street.  The property will be locally developed, owned and operated with design, construction and management teams all Burlington-based.  NBT Bank and the US Department of Agriculture collaborated to finance the project.

The family of developer DesLauriers has owned and operated lodging and hospitality businesses in Vermont since the 1950's.  Co-developer Jay Canning said, "As locals with many years of hotel experience, we have worked to create a uniquely Vermont lodging experience in our hometown. Hotel Vermont will be the city of Burlington's own." 

Israel Smith of Smith Buckley Architects in Burlington teamed with Kim Deetjen of TruexCullins Interiors to utilize design features such as hardwood floors and luxury shower and bath areas in guestrooms.  Green design practices and indigenous materials have also been a focus, with the development team expecting LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  PC Construction of Burlington was selected as the general contractor.

Hotel Vermont will stimulate the senses of leisure and business travelers seeking an authentic "Vermont" experience that exudes comfort and casual warmth while encouraging productivity. Public spaces indoors and out will be comfortable and complemented by thoughtful food and beverage offerings throughout the day. The hotel lobby features a wood-burning hearth, granite-clad central core area, and materials including reclaimed red oak flooring.

Juniper Lounge will serve morning pastries and coffee as well as farm-inspired "carbon-negative" cocktails (using ingredients that balance our carbon footprint), limited-production beer and wine and small plates throughout the day.  An outdoor terrace with an open hearth will overlook the Burlington waterfront and the 7,500 square foot Harbor Terrace, Burlington's first green roof and garden, which Canning and DesLauriers opened in 2007. Bronze sculptures on the rooftop by artist Richard Erdman of Williston, Vermont assure an eye-catching view, whatever the season. The hotel will also offer two water-view function rooms with 1,100 square feet of space for meetings and events.

Hotel Vermont will be the Burlington home of one of Vermont's favorite restaurants, Hen of the Wood Restaurant, featuring acclaimed farm-to-table cuisine by 2011 James Beard Award nominee Chef Eric Warnstedt.

The hotel and restaurant will bring 70 new jobs to Burlington and both are scheduled to open in April 2013.

Visit Hotel Vermont at www.hotelvt.com 

Source: Hotel Vermont via PR Newswire

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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Resort Spotlight: Mountain View Grand Summer Fun 2011.mov [New Hampshire]

Courtesy of Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa on YouTube

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Thursday, September 8, 2011

Windstar Introduces 2012 Caribbean Sail & Stay Packages

Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, introduces their 2012 Caribbean Sail & Stay Packages.

These offers include a select Windstar voyage and two free hotel nights at Windstar reserved hotels, allowing guests to extend their Caribbean vacations at a tremendous value.

2012 Caribbean Sail & Stay Packages

Flavors of the Caribbean Voyage Plus Two Free Hotel Nights in St. Martin
Set sail to a unique collection of islands highlighting diverse countries, styles, landscapes and cultures of the Caribbean.  Seven-day sailings on Wind Surf roundtrip from Philipsburg, St. Maarten visit Le Marin, Martinique; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; English Harbour, Antigua; and Gustavia, St. Barthelemy. Cruise departures: January 14, 28; February 11, 25, 2012.  Includes two nights hotel accommodations in Marigot, St. Martin pre- or post-voyage. Fares from $2,299 per person, based on double occupancy.

Yachtsman’s Caribbean Voyage Plus Two Free Hotel Nights in St. Martin
Experience the glitter and glam of the Caribbean’s yachting scene with overnights in Jost van Dyke and Virgin Gorda.  Seven-day sailings on Wind Surf  roundtrip from Philipsburg, St. Maarten visits Soper’s Hole, Tortola; Jost van Dyke, B.V.I.; Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Les Saintes, F.W.I.; and Gustavia, St. Barthelemy. Cruise departures: January 7; February 4, 18, 2012. Includes two nights hotel accommodations in Marigot, St. Martin pre-or post-voyage. Fares from $2,299 per person, based on double occupancy.

Jewels of the Windward Islands Voyage Plus Two Free Hotel Nights in Barbados
Visit the unspoiled islands of the southern Grenadines and overnight in the beautiful Tobago Keys. Seven-day sailings on Wind Spirit roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados visits Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Bequia, St. Vincent, Grenadines; Tobago Keys (overnight), St. Vincent, Grenadines; and St. George’s, Grenada. Cruise departures: January 7, 14, 21; 28; February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2012. Includes two nights hotel accommodations in Barbados pre- or post-voyage. Fares from $2,399 per person, double occupancy.

Two night complimentary hotel offer is only applicable on designated sailings included in the 2012 Caribbean Sail & Stay promotion. Promotional code: HotSpcl. Offer is subject to availability, is not combinable with any other pricing or promotional offers, is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Rates shown are for Category B stateroom. Government fees and taxes additional. Hotels in St. Martin and Barbados in offer are selected by Windstar Cruises. Offer valid on new bookings made now through October 15, 2011.

Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.WindstarCruises.com


Saturday, September 3, 2011

Vermont: Still Open for Business Post Tropical Storm Irene


A message from Megan Smith, Vermont Commissioner of Tourism
Courtesy of Vermont Tourism on YouTube-Vimeo HD.mov 


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